lilmama26
10-13-2004, 10:15 AM
Poll: Voters favor softening of '3 strikes' law
By Howard Mintz
Mercury News
With just weeks to go before the election, California voters remain strongly in favor of a ballot measure that would soften the state's tough "three strikes, you're out" law, according to Field Poll results to be released today.
A survey of voters earlier this month found 65 percent support Proposition 66, which would require that a defendant be convicted of a serious or violent felony to qualify for a "three strikes" sentence of 25 years to life. Right now, California is the only state that allows a defendant to be sentenced to those prison terms for a non-violent "third strike" such as petty theft or drug possession.
In another survey, the Field Poll showed voters leaning against Proposition 64, which would place limits on the ability of private citizens to sue companies over unfair business practices.
However, the Field Poll noted that a large segment of voters remain undecided, and just 20 percent surveyed said they were even aware of Proposition 64, which is backed by businesses and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Meanwhile, opponents of revising the "three strikes" law continue to have trouble gaining traction with their arguments that the initiative would allow thousands of violent criminals to be released from prison. They maintain the vast majority of inmates serving time under "three strikes" are career criminals who deserve their sentences.
Richard Temple, a consultant for the anti-66 campaign, said the Field Poll numbers can still be turned around before the election. Schwarzenegger is expected to make a pitch against Proposition 66 in the coming weeks.
``This is not a locked-in position for anybody,'' Temple said of the Field Poll. ``The voters have not heard enough about it.''
Proposition 66 supporters say the poll reflects the public's strong support for reforming an unfair portion of the law. They say "three strikes" sentences should be reserved for violent crimes, not for offenders who commit minor infractions such as small-time thefts that land them in prison for life.
More than half the state's "third strikers" are in prison for non-violent "third strikes."
While Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Bill Lockyer and the state's prosecutors oppose Proposition 66, the Field Poll suggested their opinions are unlikely to sway voters. Nearly 70 percent said such opposition wouldn't affect their vote.
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Contact Howard Mintz at hmintz@mercurynews.com or (408) 286-0236.
By Howard Mintz
Mercury News
With just weeks to go before the election, California voters remain strongly in favor of a ballot measure that would soften the state's tough "three strikes, you're out" law, according to Field Poll results to be released today.
A survey of voters earlier this month found 65 percent support Proposition 66, which would require that a defendant be convicted of a serious or violent felony to qualify for a "three strikes" sentence of 25 years to life. Right now, California is the only state that allows a defendant to be sentenced to those prison terms for a non-violent "third strike" such as petty theft or drug possession.
In another survey, the Field Poll showed voters leaning against Proposition 64, which would place limits on the ability of private citizens to sue companies over unfair business practices.
However, the Field Poll noted that a large segment of voters remain undecided, and just 20 percent surveyed said they were even aware of Proposition 64, which is backed by businesses and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Meanwhile, opponents of revising the "three strikes" law continue to have trouble gaining traction with their arguments that the initiative would allow thousands of violent criminals to be released from prison. They maintain the vast majority of inmates serving time under "three strikes" are career criminals who deserve their sentences.
Richard Temple, a consultant for the anti-66 campaign, said the Field Poll numbers can still be turned around before the election. Schwarzenegger is expected to make a pitch against Proposition 66 in the coming weeks.
``This is not a locked-in position for anybody,'' Temple said of the Field Poll. ``The voters have not heard enough about it.''
Proposition 66 supporters say the poll reflects the public's strong support for reforming an unfair portion of the law. They say "three strikes" sentences should be reserved for violent crimes, not for offenders who commit minor infractions such as small-time thefts that land them in prison for life.
More than half the state's "third strikers" are in prison for non-violent "third strikes."
While Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Bill Lockyer and the state's prosecutors oppose Proposition 66, the Field Poll suggested their opinions are unlikely to sway voters. Nearly 70 percent said such opposition wouldn't affect their vote.
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Contact Howard Mintz at hmintz@mercurynews.com or (408) 286-0236.